SERVICES

With the continued emphasis on cost control and PFI margin improvements coupled with its distinct strategy, Shanks Group, the provider of recycling and energy recovery solutions and technologies is scheduled to release its pre-close trading statement on Wednesday.

An investment holding and management company, Ashtead Group Plc has announced today that its US subsidiary, Sunbelt Rentals Inc has acquired a Philadelphia based Topp Construction Services and its related company, Precision Steel Works.

PR and healthcare consultancy sees margin pressure in 2011, but upbeat for 2012

FirstGroup, the British transport operator said that its overall trading for the year ended March 31, 2012 has been in line with management's expectations and remains on track to attain overall earnings target for the year.

With its new business pipeline being strong, Huntsworth Plc, the global public relations and integrated healthcare communications group, is confident of improving trading in 2012 compared to 2011 and is scheduled to report its preliminary 2011 results on Tuesday.

Bodycote Plc, the largest thermal processing services provider, has announced that it has acquired the heat treatment business of Curtiss-Wright Corporation for a total consideration of US$ 52 million.

Driven by the benefits of self-help programme, QinetiQ Group, the provider of technical advice to customers in the global aerospace, defence and security markets, says it is on course to deliver its expectations for the financial year ending 31 March 2012.

The distributor of electronics and maintenance products, Electrocomponents Plc is on track to deliver record full-year sales in excess of £1.2 billion at a growth rate of around 7 percent driven by international and UK growth.

QinetiQ Group, the provider of technical advice to customers in the global aerospace, defence and security markets, says market uncertainties are making it difficult to visualise outlook beyond the current year. However, the board is confident that the group is able to build significant value over the medium-term.

Online bookings boost summer volumes, North Africa travel remains soft

Homeserve Plc, the provider of home emergency and repair services to over 4.9 million customers internationally, has braced up to perform well for the current year and beyond by addressing the root causes behind the sales, marketing and complaints handling issues in the Britain.

With over 200 brands in 180 countries and more than 30 million customers, TUI Travel, the leisure travel company expects to see greater share of online bookings in 2012 and is scheduled to release its pre-close trading update on Thursday.

Catering Group says challenging market conditions will slow revenue growth in first half of year

World's biggest building supplies company sees US strength, but Europe slowing

EG Solutions, the back office optimisation software company, has announced that it secured a further services contract from an existing UK enterprise customer in the financial services sector for the value of approximately £340,000, which will appear in the current financial year results.

Babcock International Group, an engineering support services company, believes that it is well placed to gain from the size of its business, the width of its experience and track record of delivering operational and financial effectiveness in the current economic environment.

Bellway, the housebuilder, enters the second half of the year with an order book of £423 million, having already reserved or legally completed 83% of this year's target, with an expectation to reach double digit operating margin for the six months to 31 January.

Compass Group, the contract foodservice and support services group, has recently secured 'A-' long-term corporate credit rating from Standard and Poor's and remains very optimistic about the opportunities to grow the business.

easyJet, an European airline carrier, anticipates its first half financial performance for the year to go beyond the guidance set in its first quarter of the year.

MITIE Group, the strategic outsourcing and energy services company, had a positive financial year so far driven by the award and retention of a number of significant contracts, which strengthen its strategy to invest in its integrated facilities and energy management capabilities.

Mears Group, the social housing and care provider firm, has reported a 12 per cent jump in its full year revenues to £589.00 million from £523.90 million in 2010. The social housing and care revenues rose by 9 percent to £415 million and 8 percent to £379.40 million repectively.

Mears Group, a holding company engaged in the provision of a range of outsourced services to the public and private sectors, is delivering a strategy that will join its leadership within the developed markets of social housing and care.

Berkeley Group, the residential-led property developer is well placed to double its profits before tax around £220 million by 30 April 2013, two years earlier than originally planned and to enhance the value of its land bank to £3 billion by April 2015.

Aegis group, the marketing services company in the areas of media communications and market research, expects the environment to remain competitive but it remains well positioned to make continued progress.

Premier Farnell, a multi-channel service distributor of information products and technology solutions, is confident that its strategy will deliver sustainable and profitable growth across the economic and product cycles and is scheduled to release its 2011 Q4 earnings on Thursday.

Prudential, an international financial services group, remains confident to deliver solid growth in earnings for the full year on Tuesday, its superior Q3 2011 earnings were driven by good performance in Asia.

Brady, a commodity risk management software provider, has reported a rise of 72 per cent in its full year revenue to £19.16 million, up from £11.12 million in 2010, including an increase in recurring revenues of 147 per cent to £9.79 million.

Close Brothers, the specialist financial services company, expects its first half performance may be affected by a lower contribution from securities.

Fenner, a world leader in the field of reinforced polymer and textile technology, says in spite of the growing uncertainty over the macro economic outlook, trading and demand levels are in line with the group's expectations for 2012.